Actuating system for an actuatable door

ABSTRACT

An actuating system for an actuatable door and to an actuatable door having such an actuating system are provided. The actuating system comprises first and second rotatable latching shafts, a coupling link, first and second pivotable mechanical transmission elements that are mounted onto first and second rotatable latching shafts, respectively, and first and second latching members. First and second latching members are non-rotatably mounted to the second rotatable latching shaft and adapted for latching the actuatable door in a closed position. A first rotation of the first rotatable latching shaft results in pivoting of the first and second mechanical transmission elements and a second rotation of the second rotatable latching shaft, which causes a third rotation of first and second latching members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/110,702, filed Dec. 3, 2020, which claims priority to European PatentApplication No. EP 20400003.8, filed Jan. 28, 2020, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiments relate to an actuating system for an actuatabledoor, and, more particularly, to an actuating system for an actuatabledoor. The present embodiments further relate to an actuatable door, inparticular for an aircraft, whereby the actuatable door comprises anactuating system.

BACKGROUND

Actuatable doors and, in particular, actuatable cargo doors in aircraftsusually fulfill the following major functions: they close the aircraftsin operation for maintaining a required internal pressure therein, theycontribute to carrying flight loads in corresponding lower deck cargocompartments, and they allow external access to the corresponding lowerdeck cargo compartments. Therefore, robust and safe actuating systemsare required for reliably and safely closing the actuatable doors inoperation, but also for fulfilling all relevant requirements defined bythe competent authorities, such as e.g., in EASA CS 25.783 related tofuselage doors in general.

More specifically, according to EASA CS 25.783d (2) such actuatingsystems require latches and corresponding latching devices that must bedesigned so that, under all aircraft flight and ground loadingconditions, there is no force or torque tending to unlatch the latchesin closed state of the actuatable door. In addition, the latchingdevices must include means for securing the latches in an associatedlatched state. The securing of the latches and the latches must beindependent from the lock if the latches are latched.

Furthermore, according to EASA CS 25.783d (5), locking members such aslocking cams must be provided for locking the latches in the associatedlatched state. However, any positioning of the locking members in alocking position, wherein the locking members lock the latches, must beprevented as long as the latches and the corresponding latching devicesare not in their associated latched state.

The document DE 198 25 405 C2 or GB2332705 describes a conventionalactuating system for an actuatable door that fulfills these requirementsand comprises a plurality of latching devices, each being provided withan associated latching hook that is adapted for latching the actuatabledoor in a closed position. Each latching hook is securable in itslatched state by means of a separate rotatable securing device, which isimplemented as a securing cam.

More specifically, each latching hook is pivotally mounted to a firstpivot bearing and connected to a pivotable mechanical transmissionelement via a coupling link. The latter is implemented as a firstcoupling rod and on the one hand pivotally mounted to the latching hookby means of a second pivot bearing and on the other hand to thepivotable mechanical transmission element by means of a third pivotbearing. The pivotable mechanical transmission element is implemented asa bell crank, which is pivotable around an associated bell crank boltdefining a fourth pivot bearing. The bell crank is further coupled to alatch lever by means of a coupling link, which is implemented as asecond coupling rod. The latter is on the one hand pivotally mounted tothe bell crank by means of a fifth pivot bearing and on the other handto the latch lever by means of a sixth pivot bearing. The latch lever iscoupled to a rotatable latching shaft, which defines a seventh bearingof the conventional actuating system.

When operating the conventional actuating system according to thedocument DE 198 25 405 C2 or GB2332705 for locking the actuatable doorin the closed position, the rotatable latching shaft is rotated in apredetermined rotational direction, thereby rotating the latch leveralso into this predetermined rotational direction until the latch leverand the second coupling rod are in-line. The rotating latch leverentrains the second coupling rod, which in turn entrains the bell crank,thereby pivoting the latter into an opposed rotational direction. Thepivoting bell crank thereby pushes the first coupling rod such that thelatter rotates the latching hook also into this opposed rotationaldirection until the latching hook reaches a locking position, whereinthe actuatable door is locked in the closed position. Subsequently, thelocking cam is rotated in a securing position for securing and blockingthe latching hook in its locked state.

For further securing and blocking the latching hook in its locked statesuch that the latching hook cannot be rotated accidentally orinvoluntarily from its locking position back into a releasing position,wherein the actuatable door can be opened, the first coupling rod isdriven by the pivoting bell crank into a so-called “overcentered”position. This is done by rotating slightly beyond the dead centerbetween bell crank and first coupling rod.

More specifically, the overcentered position is defined such that anyrotation of the latching hook in the above described predeterminedrotational direction for unlocking the latching hook due to an externalforce acting on the latching hook, would only lead to a further rotationof the bell crank into the above described opposed rotational direction,which is prevented by means of a mechanical stop. In other words, whenthe first coupling rod is in the overcentered position, the latchinghook can only be driven from its locking position into its releasingposition by rotating the latch lever into the above described opposedrotational direction by means of the rotatable latching shaft.

However, the above described conventional actuating system iscomparatively complicated and expensive, as each latching devicethereof, i.e., without the separate rotatable locking device, comprisesmultiple constituent components including five moving parts in row withseven bearings involved. Consequently, this conventional actuatingsystem is comparatively heavy and space consuming and manufacturing andassembly thereof is rather complicated due to the great number ofcomponents and tolerances.

Exemplary other mechanisms for closing aircraft doors are described indocuments EP 3 045 387 A1, EP 3 147 203 B1, WO 2014/091294 A1, EP 2 170698 B1, EP 1 270 405 B1, and EP 0 222 160 B1.

For example, document EP 3 045 387 A1 describes an actuating system forlocking an actuatable door in a closed position. The actuating systemscomprises at least one latching device with a latching hook. Thelatching hook is pivotally mounted to an associated pivot bearing andconnected to a pivotable mechanical transmission element via a couplinglink. In operation of the latching device and, more particularly forpivoting the latching hook from a corresponding releasing position intoits locking position, during a respective latching procedure, arotatable latching shaft is rotated by means of the latching device in alatching rotation direction, thereby pushing the coupling link towardsthe latching hook, which is, thus pivoted around the associated pivotbearing in the latching rotation direction until it is locked at acounter peg.

In order to guarantee that the latching hook is prevented from anuncontrolled unlatching by a back-driving force acting thereon, thecoupling link and the pivotable mechanical transmission element areovercentered. An overcentering adjustment device is provided forpivoting the pivotable mechanical transmission element in operation atleast from an in-line position into an overcentered position.

However, in the above described document each latching hook is installedon a separate pivot bearing, which serves as a rotation axis for thelatching hook. Each latching hook is driven by the latching shaft viaits own drive mechanism. In other words, all the latching hooks aredriven individually by the latching shaft via their latching hookdrives. In addition, each latching hook drive serves as latch securingmeans for its latching hook.

It is, therefore, an objective to provide a new actuating system for anactuatable door that has a very compact design and comprises lessconstituent components, is easier to produce and assemble, andcomparatively inexpensive to manufacture compared to state-of-the-artactuating systems. Furthermore, it is an objective to provide a newactuatable door comprising such a new actuating system.

The document U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,201 describes a commercial passengeraircraft having a fuselage where is mounted an aircraft door. Theaircraft door is for loading cargo aboard the commercial passengeraircraft, and is operated from the outside of fuselage via a handleassembly. For fail-safe operation in the case of distortions in thefuselage due to fully load cargo storage, mechanical latch lockingsegments are precluded from unduly moving into latch locking position,thereby precluding pivotal movement of a master control lever. In thatpurpose, hinge actuating mechanisms include a drive unit and a linkageassembly secured to the fuselage with a series of actuating componentsmounted on the door. One actuating mechanisms forming a latch camassembly employs a single actuator for pulling door to a fully closedposition and for latching/unlatching a plurality of bottom latches.

The document EP3168139 describes a door assembly, for doors of passengeraircraft having a door body hinged and installed in a door frame, anddoor latches. Each door latch has a latch fulcrum and a latch lever andis configured to pivot around a pivot axis around the latch fulcrum.Each door latch has a hook member to allow pivoting movement of the doorlatch. A bi-stable latch linkage is also hinged and connected one latchlever.

The document WO2013172804 describes a door latch mechanism for safeopening and closing of aircraft doors, having an additional capabilityof being used under emergencies.

Another document was cited, i.e., GB2361743.

SUMMARY

The above objectives are solved by an actuating system and an actuatabledoor as exposed.

More specifically, an actuating system for an actuatable door maycomprise a first rotatable latching shaft, a second rotatable latchingshaft, a coupling link, a first pivotable mechanical transmissionelement, a second pivotable mechanical transmission element, and firstand second latching members. The first pivotable mechanical transmissionelement is mounted onto the first rotatable latching shaft. The secondpivotable mechanical transmission element is mounted onto the secondrotatable latching shaft, and is connected to the first pivotablemechanical transmission element via the coupling link. The coupling linkis pivotally mounted to the first pivotable mechanical transmissionelement and to the second pivotable mechanical transmission element,such that a first rotation of the first rotatable latching shaft inoperation upon actuation results in pivoting of the first pivotablemechanical transmission element, pivoting of the second mechanicaltransmission element, and a second rotation of the second rotatablelatching shaft. The first and second latching members are non-rotatablymounted to the second rotatable latching shaft and adapted for latchingthe actuatable door in a closed position. The second rotation of thesecond rotatable latching shaft causes a third rotation of the first andsecond latching members around an axis defined by the second rotatablelatching shaft.

Advantageously, the actuating system comprises a reduced number ofconstituent components and a simplification of these constituentcomponents compared to the above described conventional actuatingsystems of aircraft doors, while still fulfilling all relevantrequirements defined by the competent authorities, such as e.g., in EASACS 25.783.

Advantageously, the actuating system comprises a centralized latchdrive, which drives the first rotatable latching shaft that ultimatelycauses a rotation of all latching members that are mounted to the secondrotatable latching shaft. Thus, all latches are driven by the minimumrequired number of latch drives.

The latch securing is part of the operating mechanism of the latch, butit is independent of the direct latch drive. Therefore, it is a verycompact design that provides for a double monitoring of latch securingand lock. In fact, the latch securing monitors that the latch is in alatched position before the latch securing reaches its secured positionand therefore secures the latch. The lock is locking the latch andmonitors the latched position of the latches and monitors the securedposition of the latch securing.

All latching members may be mounted to the second rotatable latchingshaft. If desired, one of the latching members may be connected via thecoupling link with the first rotatable latching shaft. Thus, a rotationof the first rotatable latching shaft may cause a rotation of the one ofthe latching members, and this rotation is directly transferred to allother latching members. As a result, the forces from the latching memberbypass the first rotatable latching shaft.

The first rotatable latching shaft may be located close to the secondrotatable latching shaft to secure the latching member directly.

At least one latching member may be slotted and mounted on two sides ofan I-profile frame. The latch securing may be applied on both sides ofthe I-profile frame. However, the latch securing could be reduced intotal number and implemented on only one side of the I-profile frame, ifdesired.

The actuating system may include a rotatable locking shaft. Therotatable locking shaft may monitor and secure the latching memberposition as well as the latch securing position. The rotatable lockingshaft may have a recess to allow a latching member rotation when thelatching member is unlocked. The rotatable locking shaft may have anadditional recess to allow the latch securing to pass when theactuatable system is in an unlocked mode.

At least one of the latching members may include a cam that blocks thelock shaft when the actuatable system is in an unlatched mode.

If desired, an associated handle part for manually actuating theactuating system according to the present invention can be implementedup to a handle shaft by means of a conventional handle part that is,e.g., described in the document DE 198 25 405 C2.

According to one aspect, the first pivotable mechanical transmissionelement and the second pivotable mechanical transmission elementcomprise at least one bell crank.

According to one aspect, the coupling link comprises at least onecoupling rod.

According to one aspect, the actuating system further comprises at leastone pin that prevents a rotation of the first latching member relativeto the second rotatable latching shaft.

According to one aspect, the second pivotable mechanical transmissionelement comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of thesecond pivotable mechanical transmission element is mountednon-rotatively to the second rotatable latching shaft such that arotation of the second end of the second pivotable mechanicaltransmission element around the axis defined by the second rotatablelatching shaft causes a rotation of the second rotatable latching shaft.

According to one aspect, the first pivotable mechanical transmissionelement comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of thefirst pivotable mechanical transmission element is mountednon-rotatively to the first rotatable latching shaft such that arotation of the first rotatable latching shaft causes a rotation of thesecond end of the first pivotable mechanical transmission element aroundan additional axis defined by the first rotatable latching shaft.

According to one aspect the actuating system further comprises first andsecond latch securing devices that prevent the third rotation of thefirst and second latching members when the first and second latchingmembers latch the actuatable door in the closed position.

According to one aspect, the first and second latch securing devices arefixedly mounted to the first rotatable latching shaft, and wherein thefirst rotation of the first rotatable latching shaft causes a fourthrotation of the first and second latch securing devices around anadditional axis defined by the first rotatable latching shaft.

According to one aspect, the actuating system further comprises arotatable locking shaft that is adapted for blocking the first andsecond latching members when the first and second latching members latchthe actuatable door in the closed position.

According to one aspect, the rotatable locking shaft is further adaptedfor blocking the first and second latch securing devices when the firstand second latching members latch the actuatable door in the closedposition.

In other words, the rotatable locking shaft guarantees that the latchingmember is prevented from an uncontrolled, i.e., unintended and/oraccidental unlatching by a back-driving force acting thereon. Thelocking shaft is an additional safety device that prevents the latchingmember from an uncontrolled unlatching.

According to one aspect, the actuating system further comprises a thirdpivotable mechanical transmission element that is mounted to therotatable locking shaft and wherein a rotational movement of the thirdpivotable mechanical transmission element causes a rotation of therotatable locking shaft.

According to one aspect, the rotatable locking shaft further comprisesat least one recess that is adapted for unblocking the first latchsecuring device and enables a movement of the first latch securingdevice past the rotatable locking shaft.

According to one aspect, the rotatable locking shaft further comprisesat least one additional recess that is adapted for unblocking the firstlatching member and enables the third rotation of the first latchingmember past the rotatable locking shaft during an unlatching operation.

According to one aspect, the first latching member further comprises alocking cam that blocks the rotatable locking shaft when the firstlatching member is unlatched.

Moreover, an actuatable door in particular for an aircraft, may comprisean actuating system with at least a first rotatable latching shaft, asecond rotatable latching shaft, a coupling link, a first pivotablemechanical transmission element, a second pivotable mechanicaltransmission element, and first and second latching members. The firstpivotable mechanical transmission element is mounted onto the firstrotatable latching shaft. The second pivotable mechanical transmissionelement is mounted onto the second rotatable latching shaft and isconnected to the first pivotable mechanical transmission element via thecoupling link. The coupling link is pivotally mounted to the firstpivotable mechanical transmission element and to the second pivotablemechanical transmission element, such that a first rotation of the firstrotatable latching shaft in operation upon actuation results in pivotingof the first pivotable mechanical transmission element, pivoting of thesecond mechanical transmission element, and a second rotation of thesecond rotatable latching shaft. First and second latching members arenon-rotatably mounted to the second rotatable latching shaft and adaptedfor latching the actuatable door in a closed position. The secondrotation of the second rotatable latching shaft causes a third rotationof the first and second latching members around an axis defined by thesecond rotatable latching shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments are outlined by way of example in the followingdescription with reference to the attached drawings. In these attacheddrawings, identical or identically functioning components and elementsare labeled with identical reference numbers and characters and are,consequently, only described once in the following description.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an illustrative actuatable door with anillustrative actuating system having an actuating device and first andsecond latching devices in accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the illustrative actuatable door ofFIG. 1 with a focus on a portion of the illustrative actuating system inaccordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a section A-A of the illustrative portion ofactuating system of FIG. 2 with a latching device and a locking devicein accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 4A shows an illustrative locking device in a fully locked positionin accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 4B shows an illustrative latch securing monitoring device in afully latched position in accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 5A shows the illustrative locking device of FIG. 4A in anintermediate position between fully locked and unlocked in accordancewith some embodiments,

FIG. 5B shows the illustrative latch securing monitoring device of FIG.4B still in the fully latched position in accordance with someembodiments,

FIG. 6A shows the illustrative locking device of FIGS. 4A and 5A in anunlocked position in accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 6B shows the illustrative latch securing monitoring device of FIGS.4B and 5B still in a fully latched position in accordance with someembodiments,

FIG. 7A shows the illustrative locking device of FIGS. 4A, 5A, and 6A inyet another unlocked position in accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 7B shows the illustrative latch securing monitoring device of FIGS.4B, 5B, and 6B in an intermediate position between fully latched andunlatched in accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 8A shows the illustrative locking device of FIGS. 4A, 5A, 6A, and7A in a further unlocked position in accordance with some embodiments,

FIG. 8B shows the illustrative latch securing monitoring device of FIGS.4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B in an unlatched position in accordance with someembodiments, and

FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional view of an illustrative latching andlocking device in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an actuating system 1 for an actuatable door 2 inaccordance with some embodiments. In other words, FIG. 1 shows anactuatable door 2 comprising actuating system 1. The actuating system 1is adapted for reliably and securely locking the actuatable door 2 in aclosed position, such that the actuatable door 2 preferentially fulfilsall relevant requirements defined by the competent authorities, such ase.g., in EASA CS 25.783.

The actuatable door 2 may be adapted to close an associated doormounting structure, such as a fuselage of an aircraft, preferentially ina fluid-tight manner. According to one aspect, the actuatable door 2 isa cargo door of an aircraft. However, it should be noted that the use ofactuatable door 2 is not restricted to cargo doors of aircrafts.Instead, actuatable door 2 may be used for any actuatable doors,including actuatable doors in vessels, such as ships and so on. Suchactuatable doors may be equipped with the inventive actuating system 1.

By way of example, the actuatable door 2 comprises at least one,preferably two, lateral latch bolts 11. Lateral latch bolts 11 mayextend from the lateral exterior side of the actuatable door 2 towardsthe door mounting structure.

Illustratively, the actuating system 1 comprises an actuating device 1 awith an operating handle 1 b. Actuating device 1 a may be adapted foractuating respectively rotating a first rotatable latching shaft 1 c. Ifdesired, the actuating device 1 a may be adapted for rotating arotatable locking shaft 1 d in operation.

For example, the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c may be connected tothe operating handle 1 b by means of at least one latching shaft linkage13. Illustratively, the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c may be linkedto a second rotatable latching shaft 1 e.

The rotatable locking shaft 1 d may be connected to the operating handle1 b by means of at least one locking shaft linkage 12. Illustratively,the at least one locking shaft linkage 12 may be mounted to a pressurespring 10. The pressure spring 10 may be mounted to a door structure 8.

Actuating system 1 may include a first latching device 3, which isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3 .Illustratively, actuating system 1 comprises a second latching device 4.

If desired, the respective latching and unlatching mechanisms of thefirst latching device 3 and the second latching device 4 may be similar.It should be noted that the actuating system 1 illustratively comprisessix such latching devices 3, 4, but for simplicity and clarity of thedrawings, only a single latching device is labeled with the referencesign 3, and only one single latching device is labeled with thereference sign 4. An illustrative latching device is described belowwith reference to FIG. 3 representative for all six latching devices.

By way of example, the first latching device 3 comprises a firstlatching member 3 a, which is non-rotatably mounted to the secondrotatable latching shaft 1 e. First latching member 3 a may be latchableat an associated counter element provided at a door frame,non-represented for simplicity and clarity. Likewise, the secondlatching device 4 comprises a second latching member 4 a, which isnon-rotatably mounted to the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e.

Illustratively, first and second latching members 3 a, 4 a may beimplemented as hooks, as C-latches, as toggle latches, or as any otherlatching members that may be latchable at associated devices (e.g.,counter pegs, cylinders, or shafts) provided at a door frame. Ifdesired, first and second latching members 3 a, 4 a may be implementedas cylinders or shafts and the associated devices provided at a doorframe may be implemented as hooks or C-latches.

First and second latching members 3 a, 4 a are both non-rotatablymounted to the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e. Thus, for theremainder of this description it is assumed that the first latchingmember 3 a is latching the actuatable door 2 in the closed position whenthe second latching member 4 a is latching the actuatable door 3 in theclosed position and vice versa. Similarly, the first latching member 3 ais unlatching the actuatable door 2 when the second latching member 4 ais unlatching the actuatable door 3 and vice versa.

The rotatable locking shaft 1 d is adapted for blocking the first andsecond latching members 3 a, 4 a when the first and second latchingmembers 3 a, 4 a latch the actuatable door 2 in the closed position.

Illustratively, the actuatable door 2 may include vent door 14 which iswell-known to the person skilled in the art, and which is preferablyactuated by means of a linkage 9. If desired, linkage 9 may be connectedto lateral latch bolts 11.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the actuatable door 2 of FIG. 1 , witha focus on a portion of the actuating system 1 with actuating device 1a. With reference to FIG. 1 , the operating handle 1 b actuates arotatable shaft 1 f, which is driven indirectly via a maltese cross by ahandle shaft. This rotatable shaft if is connected to a latching shaftlinkage 13 and to a locking shaft linkage (e.g., locking shaft linkage12 of FIG. 1 ), which are driven in sequence one after the other bymeans of a maltese cross drive.

At one end, latching shaft linkage 13 may be connected to rotatableshaft 1 f. At the other end, latching shaft linkage 13 may be connectedto a latching shaft transmission element 13 a.

Upon actuation of the operating handle 1 b, the rotatable shaft ifrotates and drives the latching shaft linkage 13, which causes swivelingof the latching shaft transmission element 13 a. The swiveling of thelatching shaft transmission element 13 a causes a first rotation of thefirst rotatable latching shaft 1 c.

Illustratively, a first pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 d ismounted onto the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c. If desired, thefirst pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 d is fixedly mountedat the extremity of the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c.

A coupling link 3 g may be pivotally mounted to the first pivotabletransmission element 3 d. Coupling link 3 g may connect the firstpivotable transmission element 3 d to a second pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 e. The connection between first and secondpivotable transmission elements 3 d, 3 e is described in more detailedbelow with reference to FIG. 3 .

The second pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 e is mounted ontothe second rotatable latching shaft 1 e. If desired, the secondpivotable mechanical transmission element 3 e is fixedly mounted at theextremity of the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e.

A first rotation of the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c in operationupon actuation may result in pivoting of the first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 d, pivoting of the second mechanical transmissionelement 3 e, and a second rotation of the second rotatable latchingshaft 1 e.

The rotatable shaft if further actuates the locking shaft linkage (e.g.,locking shaft linkage 12 of FIG. 1 ). The locking shaft linkage mayinclude a first part 12 a that is connected to a second part 12 b via anintermediate shaft 1 g. The second part 12 b may be connected to a thirdpivotable mechanical transmission element 12 c.

The third pivotable mechanical transmission element 12 c may be mountedto the rotatable locking shaft 1 d. If desired, the third pivotablemechanical transmission element 12 c is fixedly mounted at the extremityof the rotatable locking shaft 1 d.

By way of example, actuating system 1 may include at least one latchingmember such as latching member 3 a. If desired, latching member 3 a maybe slotted and mounted on two sides of an I-profile frame.

Illustratively, the actuating system 1 may include at least one latchsecuring device 5 d that is associated with latching member 3 a. Ifdesired, the actuating system 1 may include a pair of latch securingdevices 5 d that is associated with latching member 3 a. For example,one latch securing device 5 d of the pair of latch securing devices 5 dmay be located on each side of the I-profile frame and/or latchingmember 3 a.

By way of example, latch securing device 5 d may prevent a thirdrotation of latching member 3 a, when latching member 3 a latches theactuatable door in the closed position. If desired, rotatable lockingshaft 1 d may be adapted for blocking the at least one latch securingdevice 5 d when the latching member 3 a latches the actuatable door(e.g., actuatable door 2 of FIG. 1 ) in the closed position.

Rotatable locking shaft 1 d may include at least one recess 5 f that isadapted for unblocking the at least one latch securing device 5 d. Inthe scenario in which the actuating system 1 includes a pair of latchsecuring devices 5 d that is associated with latching member 3 a,rotatable locking shaft 1 d may comprise a pair of recesses 5 f, wherebyeach recess 5 f of the pair of recesses 5 f is adapted for unblocking alatch securing device 5 d of the pair of latch securing devices 5 d. Theat least one recess 5 f may enable a movement of latch securing device 5d past the rotatable locking shaft 1 d.

If desired, the rotatable locking shaft 1 d may include at least oneadditional latch securing device 5 d, that prevents the rotation of anadditional latching member (e.g., latching member 4 a of FIG. 1 ) whenthe additional latching member latches the actuatable door (e.g.,actuatable door 2 of FIG. 1 ) in a closed position.

Illustratively, the at least one latch securing device 5 d and the atleast one additional latch securing device 5 d are fixedly mounted tothe first rotatable latching shaft 1 c. The first rotation of the firstrotatable latching shaft 1 c causes a fourth rotation of the at leastone latch securing device 5 d and the at least one additional latchsecuring device 5 d around an axis defined by the first rotatablelatching shaft 1 c.

FIG. 3 shows the illustrative portion of actuating system 1 of FIG. 2 ,according to the line A-A of FIG. 2 . As exemplarily shown, theactuating system may be in a locking position.

Illustratively, the actuating system may be mounted to an actuatabledoor (e.g., actuatable door 2 of FIG. 1 ). The actuating system may beadapted for locking the actuatable door in a closed position in anassociated door frame, which is e.g., defined by a fuselage of anaircraft as described above and, if desired, associated with a cargothereof.

By way of example, latching member 3 a may be non-rotatably mounted tothe second rotatable latching shaft 1 e by means of at least one pin 3b. The at least one pin 3 b may prevent a rotation of latching member 3a relative to the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e.

If desired, latching member 3 a may be slotted and mounted on two sidesof an I-profile frame. For example, latching member 3 a may be mountedto the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e by means of two pins 3 b, oneon each side of the I-profile frame.

The first pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 d may have a firstend and a second end. The first end of the first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 d may be mounted non-rotatively to the firstrotatable latching shaft 1 c such that a rotation of the first rotatablelatching shaft 1 c causes a rotation of the second end of the firstpivotable mechanical transmission element 3 d around an additional axisdefined by the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c. The second end of thefirst pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 d may be pivotallymounted to a first end of the coupling link 3 g. The coupling link 3 gmay include at least one coupling rod.

The second pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 e comprises afirst end and a second end. The first end of the second pivotablemechanical transmission element 3 e is mounted non-rotatively to thesecond rotatable latching shaft 1 e such that a rotation of the secondend of the second pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 e aroundthe axis defined by the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e causes arotation of the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e. The second end ofthe second pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 e may bepivotally mounted to a second end of the coupling link 3 g.

Illustratively, the first end of the coupling link 3 g is pivotallymounted to the second end of the first pivotable mechanical transmissionelement 3 d by means of a connecting element 3 f. If desired, connectingelement 3 f may include a connecting bolt, which defines a plain bearingbetween the first pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 d and thecoupling link 3 g.

By way of example, the second end of the coupling link 3 g is pivotallymounted to the second end of the second pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 e by means of a connecting element 3 c. Ifdesired, connecting element 3 c may include a connecting bolt, whichdefines a plain bearing between the coupling link 3 g and the secondpivotable mechanical transmission element 3 e.

The first pivotable mechanical transmission element 3 d may include atleast one bell crank 3 d. Illustratively, the second pivotablemechanical transmission element 3 e may include at least one bell crank3 e.

The actuation of an operating handle (e.g., operating handle 1 b of FIG.1 ) may lead to a rotation of the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c. Arotation of the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c in operation uponactuation may result in pivoting of the first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 d. Pivoting the first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 d may push the coupling link 3 g towards thefirst latching member 3 a, such that the coupling link 3 g pivots thesecond mechanical transmission element 3 e. Pivoting the secondmechanical transmission element 3 e may cause a rotation of the secondrotatable latching shaft 1 e.

If desired, with reference to FIG. 2 , the rotatable locking shaft 1 dis rotated by means of an operating handle (e.g., operating handle 1 bof FIG. 2 ) until the rotatable locking shaft 1 d reaches apredetermined blocking position. In this blocking position which isexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4A, the rotatable locking shaft 1 dprevents a rotation of latching member 3 a and a rotation of a latchsecuring device (e.g., latch securing device 5 d of FIG. 2 ) in anunlatching rotation direction (e.g., unlatching rotation direction 3 iof FIG. 4B) opposed to the latching rotation direction, so thatprevention of an inadvertent and/or accidental releasing of the latchingdevice (e.g., latching device 3 of FIG. 1 ) is further secured andsupported.

Illustratively, pressure spring 10 may be mounted between door structure8 and a first part of locking shaft linkage 12 a. The first part oflocking shaft linkage 12 a may be actuated by the rotatable shaft 1 f.Rotation of the rotatable shaft if may push the first part of thelinkage 12 a away from pressure spring 10, thereby causing a rotation ofcross link 3 j around intermediate shaft 1 g.

Rotation of the cross link 3 j pulls the second part of the lockingshaft linkage 12 b towards pressure spring 10, which in turn drivesthird pivotable mechanical transmission element 12 c. Third pivotablemechanical transmission element 12 c may be mounted to rotatable lockingshaft 1 d, and a translational movement of the third pivotablemechanical transmission element 12 c causes a rotation of the rotatablelocking shaft 1 d.

Illustratively, FIGS. 4A to 8B show latching device 3 of FIG. 3 atdifferent phases of an unlatching operation 7. An unlatching operationsimilar to unlatching operation 7 may unlatch latching member 4 a ofFIG. 1 . If desired, the same unlatching operation as unlatchingoperation 7 may unlatch latching member 4 a of FIG. 1 .

As exemplarily shown in FIG. 4A, at least one locking device 5 isprovided. Locking device 5 may be adapted for securing latching member 3a in its closed position.

Locking device 5 illustratively comprises rotatable locking shaft 1 d.Rotatable locking shaft 1 d may be adapted for blocking latching member3 a when latching member 3 a latches an actuatable door (e.g.,actuatable door 2 of FIG. 1 ) in the closed position. For example,rotatable locking shaft 1 d may prevent a rotation of latching member 3a when latching member 3 a latches the actuatable door in the closedposition.

Locking shaft 1 d may exhibit recess 5 e. For example, recess 5 e may beadapted for unblocking latching member 3 a and enables a rotation oflatching member 3 a past the rotatable locking shaft 1 d duringunlatching operation 7.

Illustratively, latching member 3 a may include a locking cam 5 a. As anexample, locking cam 5 a may block the rotatable locking shaft 1 d whenlatching member 3 a is unlatched. Latching member 3 a is said to beunlatched, when latching member 3 a no longer prevents the actuatabledoor from being opened. If desired, locking cam 5 a may engage withrecess 5 e to prevent a rotation of rotatable locking shaft 1 d whenlatching member 3 a is unlatched. As another example, locking cam 5 atogether with rotatable locking shaft 1 d may prevent a rotation oflatching member 3 a when latching member 3 a latches the actuatable doorin the closed position.

Latching member 3 a may have a circular shape 5 b. For example, the endof locking cam 5 a may evolve into circular shape 5 b. Circular shape 5b of latching member 3 a may engage with the rotatable locking shaft 1 din the fully locked position.

Unlatching operation 7 for unlatching latching member 3 a may start withan opening movement of the operating handle (e.g., operating handle 1 bof FIG. 1 ). The opening movement of the operating handle may lead to arotation of rotatable locking shaft 1 d in an unlocking rotationdirection 5 c. For example, an actuating device (e.g., actuating device1 a of FIG. 1 ) may rotate rotatable locking shaft 1 d as described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

As exemplarily shown in FIG. 4B, the latch securing monitoring device 6comprises latch securing device 5 d. Latch securing device 5 d may befixedly mounted to the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c. Latchsecuring device 5 d may rotate together with the first rotatablelatching shaft 1 c. In other words, a rotation of the first rotatablelatching shaft 1 c may cause a rotation of latch securing device 5 daround an axis defined by the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c.

Locking shaft 1 d may exhibit an additional recess 5 f. Recess 5 f andrecess 5 e of FIG. 4A may be independent of each other. For example,recess 5 f may be adapted for unblocking the latch securing device 5 dand enables a movement of the latch securing device 5 d past therotatable locking shaft 1 d.

In operation the rotatable locking shaft 1 d is rotated, by means of theactuating device 1 a of FIGS. 1 and 2 , in unlocking rotation direction5 c. Rotation of the rotatable locking shaft 1 d rotates recess 5 f.

Subsequently, the latch securing device 5 d which is entrained by thefirst rotatable latching shaft 1 c rotates through recess 5 f until thelatch securing device 5 d reaches an unlatched position. Likewise,rotation of the rotatable locking shaft 1 d rotates recess 5 e.Subsequently, the first latching member 3 a rotates through recess 5 epast the rotatable locking shaft 1 d.

In operation of latching device 3 and, more particularly for pivotinglatching member 3 a from a latching position into a correspondingunlatched position during an unlatching operation, the second rotatablelatching shaft 1 e is rotated by means of the actuating device 1 a ofFIGS. 1 and 2 in an unlatching rotation direction 3 i.

More particularly, FIG. 4A shows the locking device 5 in a fully lockedposition. In the fully locked position, an inadvertent and/or accidentalrelease of latching member 3 a is securely and reliably prevented. Infact, rotatable locking shaft 1 d prevents the unlatching operation 7 oflatching member 3 a.

FIG. 4B shows the latch securing monitoring device 6 in a fully latchedposition. In the fully latched position, the latch securing device 5 dis fully engaged. One end of the latch securing device 5 d blockslatching member 3 a and thereby maintains latching member 3 a in alatched position. Illustratively, latch securing device 5 d may beblocked by the rotatable locking shaft 1 d, thereby preventing arotation of latch securing device 5 d in the unlatching rotationdirection 3 i.

FIG. 5A shows the locking device 5 of FIG. 4A in an intermediateposition. The rotatable locking shaft 1 d rotates in the unlockingrotation direction Sc. As a result, recess 5 e rotates in direction ofthe latching member 3 a. However, latching member 3 a is still is aclosed position. In other words, latching member 3 a is still in alocked and completely latched position.

FIG. 5B shows the latch securing monitoring device 6 of FIG. 4B still inthe fully latched position. However, locking device 5 has moved to anintermediate position compared to FIG. 4B. In fact, locking shaft has,compared to FIG. 4B, rotated in the unlocking rotation direction Sc. Asa result, recess 5 f has rotated in the unlocking rotation direction Sccompared to FIG. 4B. Latch securing device 5 d is still blockinglatching member 3 a and blocked by the rotatable locking shaft 1 d.

FIG. 6A shows the locking device 5 of FIG. 4A in a fully unlockedposition. Rotation of the rotatable locking shaft 1 d is completed, andrecess 5 e has rotated close to circular shape 5 b of latching member 3a. In the completely unlocked position, recess 5 e may enable therotation of the latching member 3 a past the rotatable locking shaft 1d. However, the first latching member 3 a is still latched and maintainsthe associated actuatable door (e.g., actuatable door 2 of FIG. 1 ) inthe closed position.

FIG. 6B shows the latch securing monitoring device 6 of FIG. 4B at alatch monitoring limit position. In fact, locking device 5 is in acompletely unlocked position. Rotation of the rotatable locking shaft 1d is completed, and recess 5 f has rotated close to the latch securingdevice 5 d. In the completely unlocked position, recess 5 f may enable amovement of latch securing device 5 d past the rotatable locking shaft 1d. At the latch monitoring limit position, the latch securing device 5 dis still blocking latching member 3 a, and thereby still preventsrotation of the latching member 3 a.

FIG. 7A shows the locking device 5 of FIG. 4A in the fully unlockedposition of FIG. 6A. Compared to FIG. 6A, latching member 3 a isrotating past the rotatable locking shaft 1 d through recess 5 e. Moreprecisely, the locking cam 5 a is engaged with recess 5 e. In otherwords, locking cam 5 a may block locking device 5 from returning to alocked position.

FIG. 7B shows the latch securing monitoring device 6 of FIG. 4B in anunlatched position. Compared to FIG. 6B, latch securing device 5 d hasrotated past the rotatable locking shaft 1 d through recess 5 f. Infact, latch shaft linkage 13 may have pulled latch securing device 5 dinto the unlatched position. Latching member 3 a is in an intermediateposition.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the locking device 5 of FIG. 4A in a fully unlockedposition and the latch securing monitoring device 6 of FIG. 4B in afully unlatched position. The unlatching operation 7 is completed.Latching member 3 a has rotated within recess 5 e of the rotatablelocking shaft 1 d into a completely opened (i.e., unlatched) position.Latch securing device 5 d has rotated past recess 5 f of the rotatablelocking shaft 1 d.

FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional view of portions of an illustrativeactuating system (e.g., actuating system 1 of FIG. 1 ) according to someembodiments. The actuating system comprises a first rotatable latchingshaft 1 c, a second rotatable latching shaft 1 e, a latching device 3,and a rotatable locking shaft 1 d.

The latching device 3 may include a coupling link 3 g, a first pivotablemechanical transmission element 3 d, mounted onto the first rotatablelatching shaft 1 c, a second pivotable mechanical transmission element 3e, that is mounted onto the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e, andthat is connected to the first pivotable mechanical transmission element3 d via the coupling link 3 g, and a latching member 3 a.

Coupling link 3 g may include at least one coupling rod 3 g. Couplinglink 3 g may be pivotally mounted to the first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 d and to the second pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 e.

Illustratively, coupling link 3 g may be pivotally mounted to the firstpivotable mechanical transmission element 3 d by means of a connectingelement 3 f, e.g., a connecting bolt. Connecting element 3 f may definea plain bearing between the first pivotable mechanical transmissionelement 3 d and the coupling link 3 g.

If desired, coupling link 3 g may be pivotally mounted to secondpivotable mechanical transmission element 3 e by means of a connectingelement 3 c, e.g., a connecting bolt. Connecting element 3 c may definea plain bearing between the coupling link 3 g and the second pivotablemechanical transmission element 3 e.

The first rotatable latching shaft 1 c is rotated by an actuatingmechanism similar to the one described in FIGS. 1 and 2 . A firstrotation of the first rotatable latching shaft 1 c in operation uponactuation may result in pivoting of the first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 d, pivoting of the second mechanical transmissionelement 3 e, and a second rotation of the second rotatable latchingshaft 1 e.

Latching member 3 a may be mounted to a door structure 8, which mayillustratively be an I-profile frame. If desired, latching member 3 amay be non-rotatably mounted to the second rotatable latching shaft 1 e.For example, latching member 3 a may be non-rotatably mounted to thesecond rotatable latching shaft 1 e via a pin 3 b. Pin 3 b may prevent arotation of latching member 3 a relative to the second rotatablelatching shaft 1 e. Latching member 3 a may be adapted for latching anactuatable door (e.g., actuatable door 2 of FIG. 1 ) in a closedposition.

It should be noted that modifications to the above described embodimentsare within the common knowledge of the person skilled in the art and,thus, also considered as being part of the present invention.

For example, latching device 3 of FIG. 9 is shown with a single couplinglink 3 g that is pivotally mounted to the first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 d and to the second pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 e. However, latching device 3 may have twocoupling links 3 g, one on each side of first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element 3 d. Alternatively, first and second pivotablemechanical transmission elements 3 d, 3 e and coupling link 3 g may bereproduced on the other side of I-profile frame 8.

Moreover, actuating system 1 of FIG. 1 illustratively comprises sixlatching devices 3, 4. However, if desired, actuating system 1 may havea single illustrative latching device 3 as described with reference toFIG. 3 that is associated with only one latching member 3 a. All otherlatching members may be latched and locked by the single illustrativelatching device 3.

Furthermore, latch securing device 5 d of FIG. 2 may prevent a thirdrotation of latching member 3 a, when latching member 3 a latches theactuatable door in the closed position. However, latch securing device 5d of FIG. 2 may prevent the third rotation of first and second latchingmembers 3 a and 4 a when the first and second latching members 3 a, 4 alatch the actuatable door in the closed position.

REFERENCE LIST

-   -   1 actuating system    -   1 a actuating device    -   1 b operating handle    -   1 c first latching shaft    -   1 d locking shaft    -   1 e second latching shaft    -   1 f rotatable shaft    -   1 g intermediate shaft    -   2 actuatable door    -   3 first latching device    -   3 a first latching member    -   3 b pin    -   3 c connecting element    -   3 d first pivotable mechanical transmission element    -   3 e second pivotable mechanical transmission element    -   3 f connecting element    -   3 g coupling link    -   3 i unlatching rotation direction    -   3 j cross link    -   4 second latching device    -   4 a second latching member    -   5 locking device    -   5 a locking cam    -   5 b circular shape    -   5 c unlocking rotation direction    -   5 d first and second latch securing device    -   5 e recess    -   5 f recess    -   6 latch securing monitoring device    -   7 unlatching operation    -   8 door structure    -   9 vent door linkage    -   10 pressure spring    -   11 lateral latching bolt    -   12 locking shaft linkage    -   12 a locking shaft linkage first part    -   12 b locking shaft linkage second part    -   12 c third pivotable mechanical transmission element    -   13 latching shaft linkage    -   13 a latching shaft transmission element    -   14 vent door

What is claimed is:
 1. An actuating system for an actuatable door, theactuating system comprising: a first rotatable latching shaft; a secondrotatable latching shaft; a coupling link; a first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element, that is mounted onto the first rotatable latchingshaft; a second pivotable mechanical transmission element, that ismounted onto the second rotatable latching shaft, and that is connectedto the first pivotable mechanical transmission element via the couplinglink, the coupling link being pivotally mounted to the first pivotablemechanical transmission element and to the second pivotable mechanicaltransmission element, such that rotation of the first rotatable latchingshaft in operation upon actuation results in pivoting of the firstpivotable mechanical transmission element, pivoting of the secondmechanical transmission element, and rotation of the second rotatablelatching shaft; a first latching member and a second latching memberthat are non-rotatably mounted to the second rotatable latching shaftand adapted for latching the actuatable door in a closed position,wherein the rotation of the second rotatable latching shaft causesrotation of the first and second latching members around an axis definedby the second rotatable latching shaft; and a first latch securingdevice and a second latch securing device that prevent the rotation ofthe first and second latching members when the first and second latchingmembers latch the actuatable door in the closed position, wherein thefirst and second latch securing devices are fixedly mounted to the firstrotatable latching shaft, and wherein the rotation of the firstrotatable latching shaft causes rotation of the first and second latchsecuring devices around an additional axis defined by the firstrotatable latching shaft.
 2. The actuating system of claim 1, whereinthe first pivotable mechanical transmission element and the secondpivotable mechanical transmission element comprise at least one bellcrank.
 3. The actuating system of claim 1, wherein the coupling linkcomprises at least one coupling rod.
 4. The actuating system of claim 1,further comprising: at least one pin that prevents a rotation of thefirst latching member relative to the second rotatable latching shaft.5. The actuating system of claim 1, wherein the first pivotablemechanical transmission element comprises a first end and a second end,and wherein the first end of the first pivotable mechanical transmissionelement is mounted non-rotatively to the first rotatable latching shaftsuch that a rotation of the first rotatable latching shaft causes arotation of the second end of the first pivotable mechanicaltransmission element around an additional axis defined by the firstrotatable latching shaft.
 6. The actuating system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a rotatable locking shaft that is adapted for blocking thefirst and second latching members when the first and second latchingmembers latch the actuatable door in the closed position.
 7. Theactuating system of claim 6, wherein the rotatable locking shaft isfurther adapted for blocking the first and second latch securing deviceswhen the first and second latching members latch the actuatable door inthe closed position.
 8. The actuating system of claim 6, furthercomprising: a third pivotable mechanical transmission element that ismounted to the rotatable locking shaft and wherein a rotational movementof the third pivotable mechanical transmission element causes a rotationof the rotatable locking shaft.
 9. The actuating system of claim 6,wherein the rotatable locking shaft further comprises: at least onerecess that is adapted for unblocking the first latch securing deviceand enables a movement of the first latch securing device past therotatable locking shaft.
 10. The actuating system of claim 6, whereinthe rotatable locking shaft further comprises: at least one additionalrecess that is adapted for unblocking the first latching member andenables the rotation of the first latching member past the rotatablelocking shaft during an unlatching operation.
 11. The actuating systemof claim 6, wherein the first latching member further comprises: alocking cam that blocks the rotatable locking shaft when the firstlatching member is unlatched.
 12. An actuatable door in particular foran aircraft, comprising an actuating system according to claim 1.